This Moroccan style beef stew is flavoured with warm spices, sweet dried apricots, and a drizzle of honey. It’s a hearty, comforting recipe that works wonderfully with couscous, rice, or flatbreads, making it ideal for family dinners or meal prep.

Moroccan style beef stew next to some cous cous in front of a slow cooker

What You Need

Please scroll down to the recipe card for ingredient quantities and full instructions.

labelled ingredients for Moroccan style beef stew: garlic, stock, onion, chopped tomatoes, honey, carrots, beef, chickpeas, spices, apricots

Beef
Choose stewing beef or braising steak, cut into cubes. Slow cooking makes it tender and flavourful.

Onion and garlic
A classic base that enhances the richness of the stew.

Spices
Ground cumin, paprika, cinnamon, turmeric, and ginger create the signature Moroccan flavour.

Beef stock cube
Crumbled over the ingredients, there is no need to add extra water.

Dried apricots
Their natural sweetness balances the spices and adds a lovely texture.

Chopped tomatoes

Honey
A small amount lifts the dish and enhances the sweetness of the apricots.

Vegetables
Carrots add colour and bulk, while a red pepper works as a tasty alternative.

Chickpeas (optional)
For extra protein and heartiness, stir them in towards the end of cooking.

Fresh coriander
Sprinkle on top just before serving for freshness.

Couscous
The traditional side – light and fluffy, perfect for soaking up the sauce.

Making It

This stew couldn’t be simpler to put together. All you need to do is put the beef, onion, garlic, chopped tomatoes, spices, stock cube, apricots, honey, and your chosen vegetables straight into the slow cooker. If you are using chickpeas don’t add these yet.

Give it all a good stir before putting the lid on.

Put the lid on and set off on low for 8 hours, or high for 4 hours. If you have the time I recommend cooking on low, the beef will be more tender.

cooked Moroccan style beef chickpea stew in a slow cooker with carrots

If you’re adding chickpeas, wait until the last half hour before stirring them in. This way, they heat through without turning too soft.

When it’s ready, serve it up with couscous, scatter over some fresh coriander, and maybe add a spoonful of yoghurt on the side. Flatbreads are also great for mopping up that rich sauce.

Make Ahead and Freeze

This Moroccan beef stew is great for freezer prep. Add all the raw ingredients (except the stock) to a labelled freezer bag or container and store in the freezer for up to three months. Defrost overnight in the fridge, then tip into the slow cooker, add the stock, and cook as normal.

You can also freeze leftovers once cooked, just let them cool completely before portioning into freezer-safe tubs. Defrost overnight in the fridge, then reheat gently on the hob or in the microwave until piping hot.

More Slow Cooker Beef Recipes

If you enjoyed this Moroccan-style stew, you might also like:

Slow Cooker Moroccan Style Beef Stew

By Liana Green

A rich and hearty stew with warm Moroccan spices, tender beef, and sweet apricots.

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Course Slow Cooker Recipes

Prep Time 15

Cook Time 4

Servings

Calories 420 kcal

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Ingredients

800 g stewing beef cubed
1 onion chopped
3 garlic cloves crushed
1 tsp salt
½ tsp black pepper
2 tsp ground cumin
1 tsp paprika
½ tsp ground cinnamon
½ tsp ground turmeric
1 tsp ground ginger
400 g chopped tomatoes
1 beef stock cube
100 g dried apricots roughly chopped
2 tbsp honey
2 carrots sliced (or 1 red pepper, chopped)
1 tin chickpeas drained (optional)
Fresh coriander chopped (to serve)
Couscous to serve

Instructions

Add the beef, onion, garlic, spices, chopped tomatoes, apricots, honey, vegetables and then crumble the beef stock cube over the top (don't add the chickpeas yet) to the slow cooker. Stir to combine.
Cover and cook on low for 8–9 hours or high for 4 hours, until the beef is tender.
If using chickpeas, stir them in during the last 30 minutes of cooking.
Serve with couscous and garnish with fresh coriander.

Nutrition

Calories: 420kcalCarbohydrates: 34gProtein: 48gFat: 8gSaturated Fat: 3gPolyunsaturated Fat: 0.1gMonounsaturated Fat: 0.2gSodium: 711mgPotassium: 641mgFiber: 4gSugar: 25gVitamin A: 6259IUVitamin C: 5mgCalcium: 58mgIron: 2mg

Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an estimate.

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